As the world inches closer and closer to the end of arguably the worst year in its history, Las Vegas’ entertainers and shows look anxiously ahead to the day when they can return to the Entertainment Capital of the World and get back to business. And we anxiously await their return. Here are just a few of the entertainers and productions we’ll be buying tickets for the minute their return is announced.
Blue Man Group (Luxor)
This is one of the few shows we feel comfortable taking visitors to, so universal are its themes of music, comedy and community. The wordless Blue Men themselves are riveting to watch as they figure out how Twinkies and Cap’n Crunch can be used to hilarious—and sometimes musical—effect. And their musical numbers are as fun to listen to as they are to look at.
Boyz II Men (The Mirage)
Shawn Stockton, Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris have created something truly special in the desert—a show that’s unabashedly romantic and guaranteed to win you serious points with the lady in your life. The Boyz revisit the hits that made them superstars, from “End of the Road” to “I’ll Make Love to You,” and the dispersing of the roses has become almost a Las Vegas institution.
Criss Angel MINDFREAK (Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino)
The only way we can describe this over-the-top show is “magic meets rock concert.” Angel pulls out every stop to thrill his audiences and, at times, scare them silly with his special brand of illusions, some of which are not for the faint of heart. But every time Angel freaks us out, he turns around and makes us laugh.
Sexxy (Westgate Las Vegas)
Producer and performer Jennifer Romas has assembled a terrific group of women to perform in this topless revue, but it really hits another gear once Romas herself performs. Her routine featuring nothing but herself and a bathtub is the definition of “showstopper,” with Romas slipping and sliding in and out, always looking like she’s on the verge of hurting herself, but always pulling back at the last second. It’s exhausting, exhilarating and super-sexy—much like her entire show.
Mat Franco (The Linq)
This close-up magician and America’s Got Talent champion is probably the most likeable guy performing on the Las Vegas Strip; he just wins you over from the second he walks out onstage, and he genuinely seems to be having the time of his life making audiences both gasp and laugh at his antics. And his illusions are on par with any other great magician on the Strip. We still can’t figure out how he does that cell phone illusion!
Mystère (Treasure Island)
The original Cirque du Soleil production in Las Vegas (all the way back to 1993) is still one of the best shows on the Las Vegas Strip. Its plotline, like most Cirque shows, isn’t quite clear, but as the various acrobats, strongmen, clowns and comedians do their thing, you aren’t likely to care. And we never, never get tired of that enormous snail at the end.
George Wallace (Westgate Las Vegas)
This legendary funnyman has never been one to rest on his laurels; it could be argued he is the hardest-working man in comedy right now, and easily one of the most influential of all time (he counts Jerry Seinfeld among one of his best friends and greatest admirers). If you’ve never seen him perform, do yourself a favor and be one of the first to see him when he returns. Odds are he’ll have a lot to say—and you’ll want to hear every word.
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